The staff of Akron General Medical Center respects the privacy of its patients and of its Web site users. We are happy to share with you our policy regarding your privacy in using our Web site, information that may be collected and how it is used.

Privacy Policy Guiding Principles

Any information that you submit to us through our Web site - whether a survey, registration form or e-mail will be used exclusively by Akron General Medical Center.

We will use your personal information only for the specific reason for which you submitted it.

We will take reasonable precaution to protect your personal information including encryption and passwords when appropriate.

You will receive e-mail only for the information that you have requested or as confirmation of information that you submitted.

Akron General Medical Center will use overall demographic data of our Web users to improve the site and enhance services. Akron General Medical Center may contact registered users by e-mail to inquire about interest in potential new Web services.

Privacy Policy - Information Collection and Use

Akron General Medical Center is the sole owner of the information collected on this site. We will not sell, share or lease this information to others in ways different from what is disclosed in this policy. Akron General Medical Center does not sell any customer lists or e-mail addresses. Akron General Medical Center may, however, disclose information if required to do so by law or in the good-faith belief that such action is necessary to (a) conform to applicable law or comply with legal process served on Akron General Medical Center; (b) protect and defend the rights or property of Akron General Medical Center, the Web site, or the users, or (c) act under exigent circumstances to protect the personal safety of users of the Akron General Medical Center, the Web site, or the public.

Registration

In order to use some parts of the Akron General Medical Center Web site, a user must first complete the registration form. During registration a user is required to give their contact information, usually your name and e-mail address. This information is used to contact the user about the services on our site in which they have expressed interest (such as access to hospital publications). It is optional for the user to provide demographic data (such as topics of interest), but encouraged, so we can provide the user with better information when using our site.

Cookies

A cookie is a piece of data stored on the user's hard drive containing information about the user. Usage of a cookie is not linked to any personally identifiable information while visiting the Akron General Medical Center site. Once users close their browser, cookies simply terminate. Cookies can also enable us to track and target the interests of our users to further develop our Web site. Akron General Medical Center never uses Cookies to retrieve information from your computer that was not originally sent in a Cookie. Except as described in this Policy, we do not use information transferred through Cookies for any promotional or marketing purposes, nor is that information shared with any third parties whatsoever.

Collection of Anonymous Information

In addition to the use of personal identifiable information, Akron General Medical Center may also gather anonymous information, which may be used by Akron General Medical Center or shared with third parties. Generally this information is collected through "traffic data" and may entail the use of Cookies and IP addresses. Akron General Medical Center uses such traffic data to help determine how users use parts if the Web site so we can analyze trends, administer the site, track user's movement, gather broad demographic information for aggregate use to provide for a better experience for the user. IP addresses and other traffic data are not linked to personally identifiable information.

Links

This Web site contains links to other sites. Please be aware that Akron General Medical Center is not responsible for the privacy practices of these Web sites. Akron General Medical Center is not responsible for content provided on these sites or for the validity of content on these sites. We encourage our users to be aware when they leave our site and to read the privacy statements of each and every Web site that collects personally identifiable information. This policy applies solely to information collected by this Web site.

Security Policy

The importance of security for all personal information associated with you is of utmost concern to us. We exercise great care in providing secure transmission of your information from your PC to our servers. Personal information collected by Akron General Medical Center Web site is stored in secure operation environments that are not available to the public. Only those employees who need access to your information in order to do their jobs are allowed access, each having signed confidentiality agreements. Any employee who violates our privacy or security policies is subject to disciplinary action, including possible termination and civil and/or criminal prosecution.

Assignment

Akron General Medical Center may change its ownership or corporate organization while providing the Web site and services. As a result, please be aware that Akron General Medical Center may transfer your information to another company within Akron General Health System or to a new company if there is ownership change or reorganization.

Your Acceptance to These Terms

By using this site, you signify your acceptance of the Akron General Medical Center Privacy Policy. If you do not agree to this policy, please do not use our Web site. Your continued use of the Akron General Medical Center Web site following the posting of changes to these terms will mean you accept those changes.

Notification of Changes

If Akron General Medical Center decides to change our privacy policy, we will post those changes prominently so our users are always aware of what information we collect, how we use it, and under what circumstances, if any, we disclose it. We do, however, recommend that you read this Privacy Policy each time you use our Web site in case you missed our notice of changes to the Privacy Policy.

Opt-Out Procedures

You always may opt-out of receiving future contacts or mailings or change how Akron General Medical Center may use your personally identifiable information. Akron General Medical Center provides you with the opportunity to opt-out of receiving communications from us and our partners at the point where we request information about you.

Questions

Akron General Medical Center welcomes your questions and comments about privacy and this policy. If you have any questions about our policies or our Web site in general, please contact us by filling out the contact us form on, linked at the bottom of this page, call our Privacy Officer at 330-34-HIPAA (44722) or mail your questions to: